It became the most consistent and durable golf ball ever made. Spalding, seemingly, was on top of the world. "publisher": { he is a cleveland iron man now, but he still owns the spalding executives. Still, the Uniques are the best irons I have ever hit! What a mess that design was! i knew a guy who was a 4 handicap, and he used the spalding executives. . FS - Fiberbuilt Flight Deck / GripMaster Roo pulls, New Vokey SM8 52 & 56 wedge set / New Titleist Caps (for bigger heads) / New Cobra RadSpeed 10.5* Driver, Peacoat, with premium, upgraded shaft, TSR3 ub-6x, cobra radspeed, TEE pro 721 driver and 3w, Ventus Black TR Folds of Honor 6x w/ TM Adapter, Ventus Red TR 6x w/ TM Adapter, Adidas Tour 360 22 Size 13, MyStealth2 Driver Headcover. They come as a set and include eleven clubs, a golf bag, and head covers. Is my equipment holding me back? The success of Spalding golf clubs had compelled the USGA to act, but this success was not destined to last forever. Eventually banned because it was too straight. Spalding Executive clubs were established in the 1960s, with the Top Flite Executive Synchro-Dyned golf clubs being the first in a super popular series. I cant believe to Ping Zing 2s are on the list. Within weeks, Top-Flite filed Chapter 11. These were said to be Moe Normans favorite clubs and are rated by the MyGolfSpy Forums resident vintage club expert Big Stu as the third greatest pure forged blade of all time. The 1953 Top-Flite Synchro-Dyned irons were particularly innovative, featuring a matched shaft flex and head weight for each iron in the set. Wright was the driving force behind Bostons Franklin Park golf course, the first municipal course in the U.S. Bostons other muni is named after Wright, who donated the land for the Donald Ross design. It is the Super Stick. Still have the clubs in my basement. Like its sporting goods brother-in-arms MacGregor, Spalding ownership changed hands in 1958. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. They say you learn from your mistakes. $89.99. Who Makes Dunlop Golf Clubs? "image": { Spalding had a long history, terrific heritage, and healthy topline sales of over $500 million. Somehow they squeezed 492 dimples on them Those balls were rocketships. any info on this garbage?lol. The original Strata ball was amazing when it came out spin for days! Could not beleive how well I hit this clubs. And I remember drooling over those Tour Edition Custom blades in the pro shop. Used to play traditional blades with the odd shank. I didnt know until I read this article that evidently FILA was the designer of the original face forward iron design; speaking of which, I wouldve thought the F2 Face Forward Irons wouldve made the list (http://www.intheholegolf.com/store/f2is.html). They all looked like mini woods. Those were real whacky.. bent shafts and roughly milled heads. But, you raised an interesting question: If Top-Flite Elite Professional irons with the Bird on Ball logoare rated by the MyGolfSpy Forums resident vintage club expert Big Stu as the third greatest pure forged blade of all time. Then what irons are #1 and #2 best ever forged blades? So for those of you who own a set and are fellow collectors of the ridiculoustoday is your day to shine. They also made a set made entirely of woods. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I played a set of Mags for years until I got to where I could not swing fast enough to bend the stiff shafts. Just remember, Its always the indian and not the arrow. "keywords": ["spalding irons by year","when did spalding stop making golf clubs","does spalding still make golf clubs","spalding golf clubs history","spalding executive golf clubs history"], The Browning 440 was a marvelous clubas you say off the fairway!!! Ive seen several of those uglies up close over the years so this was fun to view. Those and the Ram Tour Grinds that Watson played were my bucket list irons, but never could afford them. Its impossible to overstate Albert Spaldings vision and ambition. Ever hear of Belmont (internal, removable sole weighting)? Albert Spalding died in 1915, but his company continued to flourish. Quite honestly, we werent ready for that.. I also have a set of Browning TR600s. If it works for you use it. The Ping Zings were the worst! Sign In. The legendary Spalding bird logo appeared on their clubs in the 1960s, with the Top-Flite Elite Professional irons proving popular on Tour. i just hit a 8 iron in that series last night. Written by June 5, 2022 . Irons made during that time are distinguished by an anvil cleek mark. The primary reason why Spalding halted the production of golf clubs was that they couldnt keep up with the competition. Don Wood has the patent for the Plop Slotz Irons. when were spalding executive golf clubs madeoregon dpsst training calendar. During the time of the KKR takeover I was employed as the Managing Director in Australia/ NZ 5 Testers Needed! What about the old Bullet Driver that was hollow in the center (like an inverted U shape)? Various . However, the name of their popular brand Top Flite was sold to Callaway, and is used for discount clubs and balls. That year Spaldings sales topped $537 million, with over $400 million coming from the golf division. If you have any you think we should include or have any additional info about the clubs listed feel free to post your comments. Pat Simmons of Tiger Shark fame (and others) is the most underrated club designer of all time! Anybody know anything? Haha my dad had a set of these and I ended up bagging the 3 and 4 irons as I hated the hybrids that came with my new set. Wide sole. but fairly forgiving. I play them still and love them. I shoot mid-80s like OP. In 1910 Spalding started making fairway clubs made of aluminum, and heavier lead face putters. I completed the set off of eBay for around $100. I believe Robert Molitor was the fellow who developed the Top Flite. Thus, the USGA implemented the one ball rule, Thanks John for another great piece of history. Wed have monthly meetings at their West 57th Street offices in New York. I became a +2 handicap using those irons, and a lot of people scoffed at them early ontill they saw me hit them. I was interested in golf until around 2001 and soon discovered spoiling was on anachronism at that point. Duclos, a former flight engineer worked on the Skylab and S-IVB (third stage of the Saturn V rocket, responsible for getting the Apollo module from the Earth to the moon). Getting sold doesnt have to be the end of the world, but it can be if the buyer doesnt do their homework and pays too much. Learn how your comment data is processed. "https://www.facebook.com/swingyard/", I didnt realize Spalding was still a player as late as 2000. Your email address will not be published. "width": "645", I speak with Nat Rosassco, former owner, of NorthWestern golf at least every 7 to 10 days and he holds Pat Simmons as one of the best club designers of all time as well. Spalding Executive Registered 3 4 5 Driver Wedge P Golf Clubs Set Made In USA $26.21 Local Pickup or Best Offer SPONSORED Vintage lot of 3 Woods Top Flite Spalding Model 133 Professional 1 3 4 golf Club $29.95 $17.95 shipping or Best Offer SPONSORED PERSIMMON Spalding Robert Jones Jr Percussion Woods Set Golf Clubs Driver & 3 $60.00 $15.00 shipping When Did Spalding Stop Making Golf Clubs. Some crazy lookin clubs, Why didnt you include the 1st set of Ping Irons? Starting in the early 1900s, Spalding started making golf balls before manufacturing clubs. Just terribleand never sold thruas well it shouldnt. These were great clubs. This is because Spalding stopped manufacturing golf clubs in 2002, and most of the clubs available online today are vintage sets. Wilson never really recovered after Pepsi bought it in 1970. No sir, they are in my bag and are still being used after all these years. The stickers are silver, but the Slinger logo is a black heavy type face and says pat. So what did his famous Ginty patent actually mean? Goldwin was a San Diego company, years ahead of its time. We had small layoffs on an ongoing basis, and people kept looking over their shoulder. The VAS are ugly, but they work. Play to a 4 6 cap. Callaway wound up suing Spalding for using its imagery on Spalding packaging. single, replacement or add-on golf irons and wedges for Spalding Executive MV2 bird over ball Irons. I just picked up 6 thru 9 of the Browning 440 Plus irons at the Goodwillcant wait to try them out. There was a time when Spalding was one of the biggest brands in golf. Does anyone know anything about them? But, the #1 weird club goes to the Slingeryour #1 choice. TaylorMade, now owned by adidas, was rising, and Callaway was a major force. Basically, the new irons are all the same cavity backed design tweaked for the metal content and painted pretty for your golf bag. The Ginty, fueron palos adelantados a su poca, las maderas Ginty parecen las antecesoras de las big bertha de callaway, el material del que estaban hechas no poda aguantar las inercias, pero el diseo ya era adelantado a su tiempo. You can buy a set in good condition on eBay for around $100. Duke gave me an original solid brass/bronze Greenirons Slotline putter (heel shafted with slot in top line and white dot on lower rear section).. There was a time that Spalding golf clubs were among the best in the business. Laugh if you must, but the design works. My Dad had the XL-4s (I still have them), one Uncle had the Executives and another had the Cannons. * Note: These irons were designed by Dave (cant remember last name) which was considered a very good designer by others in the business at the time and one that some felt did not get as much credit as he deserved. Bought a set for $25 as to help out a young lady with cancer. Very well researched and well done, as someone who is not super well versed in some of golfs history, it was a great, informative read! What a great list! Yes, it did. Get the best deals on Spalding Executive Irons when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. The player would then conveniently cover the top of his bag with a towel so that no one would see the length of the irons. I have had many pros in proams hit them and fascinated by how the ball comes off the club face so fast,,good distance. I had a few customers back in the 1970s who ordered custom irons and would request the same number on the sole of their heads. They are also perfect in a steep slope due to the curved bottom of the club head. 6. I have the entire set of samurai woods and irons,,,driver,3wood,5wood,7wood,,irons,,2-pw,dont believe they ever made a sw,,,,and I still use them,,,my fellow golfers are still amazed at the distance I get,,if you want a picture of the set,,let me know,,ill take one and send to you,,, I have the whole set of samurai irons,2-pw and woods1,3,5,7,,still use them,,i have had pros hit them,,and be amazed at the distances over their irons,,,i would like to find another 5wood,if anyone knows where or who has 1,,i, neil,,do you have a samuarai 5 wood,,,hard to find,,,id like one. Forward-face progression creates a hitting surface 20 percent larger than standard and 5 percent larger than over-sized irons. I still have a set of samurai woods and irons,,and still use them,,had a pro hit my 7 iron once,,it flew his 7iron,,he was amazed,they hit great,,but graphite wears down over years and breaks,and when that happens,,its hard to find a replacement,,,. There is nothing crazy about the Slinger! Just found and bought a set of Lil David Slingers. & Bubba Dickerson won the 2001 US Amatuer with a set of Nicklaus Bears! Learn how your comment data is processed. Non-Tapered Golf Grips: 8 Facts to Know Before You Buy! Great set. I remember a set called Canon I think, possibly a Spalding brand. It was a low loft club used for poor lies and putting. Odyssey to Callaway In July 1997, Callaway Golf purchased putter maker Odyssey for $130 million, or nearly four times the company's annual sales of $35 million at the time. Are these considered weird? i was hitting 8 iron and was suprised how high the ball flight was. when were spalding executive golf clubs made. My Dad's execs from the 70's were blades that had aluminum shafts. They play as well as any other set I'm 25 years old and I've been playing with my grandfathers Spalding executives for 10 years now, and I shoot about a 80-85. By the following year, Spalding began making clubs in the U.S. Seu lugar para proteger o seu capital. In 1900, Spalding released the Vardon Flyer, the golf ball used by Harry Vardon. Ive got a set of graphite Samurai ironwoods years ahead of their time lying around in the basement, I think. You had to turn those over to see the ugly, but the cone in the bottom was down right wacky! In 1993 Payne Stewart signed a multi-million-dollar deal to go full Top-Flite, a move that sidetracked Stewarts career. Is it worth getting a new set of clubs, or should I focus on getting spikes and a gloves, ( I currently golf in thing sandles) 0. They are similar to the Nike slingshots as they have a powerbow looking thing on the back of them. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I have a full set of Exec XE irons. It had a good locking mechanism, and was made for poorer people who could not afford a whole set. However my 6 iron had twice as much offset as any other iron in the set. (Everything To Know). Had 3-PW plus 1, 3, & 5 woods. Its a great story that needs to be told. With the help of computers, we designed a unique shape we call the `Bull Nose which extends the toe weight out far enough to balance the head without creating an elongated appearance. White says KKR management was hyper-focused on Callaway and TaylorMade, which may explain one of Spaldings biggest gaffes ever. The plan was to position Hogan as the premium forged line sold through pro shops. Your link has been automatically embedded. No. Thanks for you4 diligence and reporting. Those Slinger Irons were the brain child of Jim Flood. The remaining golf company was re-named Top-Flite. Our friends[], Amazing Ryder Cup Contest! Since the Ryder Cup is shortly upon us MyGolfSpy & GolfCircuit.com thought it[]. Clear editor. Golfers have always known that deep-grooved irons produce better control and spin. Perhaps they were a little ahead of their time (3-PW). Great looking blade and the low COG really lets one hit it high. If so send them to contact(at)mygolfspy.com. Youve forgotten the worst offender. This putter is a remake of the model Bobby Jones used in the 1930s and features a head made from nickel plating over copper plating over forged carbon steel. Today we are going to be spotlighting the crazy, the absurd, and some of the wackiest irons the golf world has ever seen. What you supposed to do, cut your head off!!! Can you help me find the history of the club? KKR had been trying to dump Spalding as early as 2000, but no one would take on the debt burden. Tom Farrell. Yes it has some smoother lines compared to some of the other clubs on the listbut you put that PowerBow as Nike says on any of those other irons and it is a dead ringer for this list of crazies. Starting in 1900, Spalding opened clubmaking factories in London and in Fife, Scotland, producing forged iron heads for Spalding clubs sold both in the UK and U.S. Return Policy > WORLDWIDE SHIPPING. I accidentally broke it in the late 1970s the shaft was installed over a milled section of the hosel! Smooth tempo swingers Ventus Velo isn't working for me other brands/models suggestions? The Titleist were a bit longer lasting but I (a poor college student) could afford the Spaulding balls. I might suggest you also include input from Tom Stites who worked for Hogan in the 1980s before heading up Nikes golf (mis)adventure. "dateModified": "2022-05-12", John is an aging, yet avid golfer, writer, 9-point-something handicapper living back home in New England after a 22-year exile in Minnesota. I think this is the web site for me . when were spalding executive golf clubs made MENU. 2 Iron (21) Spalding EXECUTIVE XE . Although they wont win any awards for innovation, Spaldings Molitor clubs are a decent game improvement set and a good option for beginners. Im a sucker for the odd things, I also had a Power Pod(big mistake). This is the story of Spaldings Final Countdown. In 1900, Spalding released the Vardon Flyer, the golf ball used by Harry Vardon. The greatest golfer at the time plays Spalding? I also had a set of Ping Zings too.. My partner had that set of Cleveland VAS and believe it or not we had a partner that bought a used set of Slingers It was a close race but in the end we felt like it was finally time for the super-rare and hard to find Lil David Slingers get the recognition they were due. One of the most famous Spalding clubs was the Cran Cleek (club with a narrow face and little loft) for poor fairway lies and even putts. Former Proctor & Gamble chief Edwin Artzt came on as chairman, with former Kraft, Inc executive vice president James Craigie becoming CEO. You might be wondering how the hell did a Ping iron make the listbut look againthis one definitely deserves to be on the list for Wackiest Irons. These irons which I dont know who actually designed were called the Ray Cook Titanic irons and were made back when Scotty Cameron was a putter designer for the company. My wife says I never met a strange-looking golf club I did not want to own and play with. Its on the list! Another great history piece. Leather Golf Grips Review: Should I Use Them? What was wacky about the Bears? He changed from forged blades and balata balls to cavity back, investment cast irons and sold core balls, White tells MyGolfSpy. I played Spaulding Black Dots back in late 60s. Starting in 1900, Spalding opened club-making factories in London and in Fife, Scotland, producing forged iron heads for Spalding clubs sold both in the UK and U.S. The likes of Callaway, TaylorMade, and PING all enjoyed good commercial success in the late nineties, and Spalding couldnt match the same feats achieved by the biggest brands. Really a zany=looking set of irons. is fantastic, but the club is as stiff as an old water pipe and is accordingly harsh. Iomic Golf Grips: 8 Key Facts Before You Buy. "https://www.instagram.com/_swingyard_/", The biggest of them all, however, may well have been the aforementioned Bobby Jones. The Kro-Flite in 1930 was golfs first liquid center golf ball, while the Spalding DOT was a mid-century icon. but worth a kings ransom, Great post thanks mgs but i agree with dj ,The doctor rx has to be on the list. pend. beneath. Happily, I can say that I have seen these over the years, but none of them ever made it into my golf bag. In the mid-80s, Spalding introduced the solid core Tour Edition, and in 1996 it came out with Strata, a true game-changer for Spalding and the first multi-layer solid core ball used on Tour. And Spalding predated Mizuno by at least 60 years with a copper undercoating for its forged blades in the mid-50s. They are exactly like the Cleveland Ironwood set you see now, but it was made y..e..a..r..s ago. Was: C $107.89. More on the tr600!!!! Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS Driver Review, Best Womens Golf Clubs for Intermediate Players, Ned Howard Retired PGA Teaching Professional. Great nostalgia with the article. When he would get ready to play, he would hold the club so that the sole was visible to everyone. Needed a set of clubs to play for a few days and found these. I dont know how people could justify any of the others. And continuity, leadership, and smart decisions matter. As weve discussed before, its extremely difficult for legacy brands to remain relevant, especially when new, fresh brands get aggressive. Spalding lost $27 million in 2000 and another $20 million in 2001. All of the irons were labeled as a 7 iron, with the real number of the club micro stamped on the faces upper toe. Both are really great. Jeff Sheets had been Director of R&D for Top-Flite since 1995, and his first club for Hogan became a legend. Peter F. Stevens is an award-winning author and journalist whose 10 books include "The Voyage of the Catalpa." Spalding did have high hopes for the Hogan brand. The Top-Flite, Strata, and Hogan brands stayed alive for a while, but Callaway eventually mothballed them all. Fugly yes looks kinda like a pancake spatula at address but effective. Jim also marketed the first Graphite Shafts sold under the Aldila name. They are a blade from the early 80`s. Spalding hired Tom Bendelow as his designer, and Bendelow went on to develop many courses still in use today. But unfortunately for the VASs they were dethroned from their long held position. Recently I bought another set (I keep an eye on E-Bay for them) so I could have extras & other club sets for friends that come into town. Or maybe it was just wacky that a German car company decided to start selling $1500 golf clubs that sucked. Spalding EXECUTIVE Iron Set. I asked him about it and he said he had shown it to Spaulding, Wilson and MacGregor and their response was It will never sell!!!! Love them oldies. Typically about 2 of the three would be OK, but if you hit one thin, you just threw it away on the next tee. Still use them. I just had a guy show me a wedge that is a small diamond shaped club with about a 3/4 hollow core in the back that goes up to the inside of the face of the club. However as a caddy the Spaulding staff bag was a real trunk!! Nice article John! As a former pro athlete, Spalding saw the value of using professionals to help promote both the game and his products. I will admit to having a hankering for those slick lookin Zevo Lobs tho. Just came back from the PGA Tour Superstore after reading this site last night. Clare. The success of Spalding golf clubs had compelled the USGA to act, but this success was not destined to last forever.